A hat-trick of first-half goals helped carry Kilkenny into the Bord Gais All-Ireland Under 21 Hurling final, and Cats boss Richie Mulrooney was thankful of his sides good start.
Six weeks after their Leinster final triumph Kilkenny faced into a last-four clash against competition debutants Galway this afternoon.
Mulrooney felt that his side were always going to turn in a strong performance, despite the long lay off from action.
"I believed that we would and it was needed also because Galway were very strong, and that especially could be seen in the second half," he told TG4.
"But, in the first half we got the goals and that was the difference at the end of it. We were taking about our full-forward line John Power, Ger and Walter - they are very strong."
Mulrooney said it was just reward for his side, who under his management lost the All-Ireland Minor final to the same opposition in 2009.
"They were super," he said. Three years ago in the All-Ireland Minor final they beat us and that was in our minds. I'm delighted today."
Mulrooney praised Galway for their strong second-half comeback.
"They came back very strong and hard. Joe Cooney moved up to the forwards, another strong guy that they had along with Jonathan Glynn who was good also. That team are dangerous all of the time. I'm delighted with the win, but we are only in the final against Clare. We beat them in the All-Ireland Minor final in 2010 and that was a great game. It will be a great game again in September also."
